The brothers’ number one finish is the first time that Ireland had won gold in the lightweight double sculls at the World Championships.

President Michael D Higgins hailed their victory in Bulgaria as "inspirational".

"It is a pleasure to once again send my congratulations to Gary and Paul O'Donovan on winning a rowing medal," he said.

"They continue to inspire us, not only with this win at the World Rowing Championships but also with their mental and physical strength."

As a UCD Ad Astra Elite Sports scholar, Paul, and brother Gary, made history in 2016 when they became the first-ever Irish rowers to win a medal at the Olympics, taking silver in the lightweight men’s double sculls final at the Summer Games in Rio.